DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI-TV] –  UnityPoint Health-Des Moines is hitting pause on elective surgeries while it deals with a high number of patients. The medical center announced elective surgeries and procedures requiring overnight stays will be postponed from Thursday, Jan. 8th through Tuesday, Jan. 13.

“This decision follows unusually high patient volumes, increased ER holds, and record-setting surgical cases,” a statement reads. “Our priority is to focus resources on patients with the most urgent needs while maintaining the highest standard of care. We are closely monitoring hospital capacity and will provide updates as needed.”

The announcement comes as doctors are urging residents to get vaccinated for the flu. UnityPoint recorded a significant increase in Influenza A positivity rates earlier this week.

(Radio Iowa) – A petition to shut down automated license plate readers in eastern Iowa has gathered hundreds of signatures, the latest effort to protest the controversial law enforcement tool. Quad Cities resident David Stoner started the petition after learning about the devices from a YouTube video. The cameras are placed in a variety of locations and catalogue the license plate, make, model and color of cars passing by — even if no crime was committed. Most are owned by a company called Flock.

“I would like to have the systems out,” Stoner says. “I think Bettendorf and Davenport – their contracts with Flock are up for renewal this summer, I believe, so trying to push for timing with that where maybe those could be rethought.” Information gathered by the cameras can be shared in a database that is accessible to law enforcement agencies around the country. Stoner says he launched the petition drive after learning the devices are in use in town.

“I started talking to more people in the Quad Cities, and found not a lot of people, once they learn about these, want them here,” Stoner says, “and there was a lot of talk about not wanting them there, but I didn’t feel like there was any sort of momentum of, ‘Okay, let’s gather up this energy and direct it somewhere.’”

The A-C-L-U of Iowa has said the technology is “a surveillance tool that poses serious risks to Iowan’s privacy and civil liberties.” Many law enforcement officials say the technology is useful for helping solve multi-jurisdictional crimes.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Anita was arrested on drug charges, January 2nd (2026). 65-year-old Kurt David Crecelius, was arrested charges of Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also arrested on an active Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. Crecelius was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On January 2nd, 2026, deputies in Cass County arrested 39-year-old Justin Andrew Kohl, of Minden. He was taken into custody on an active bench warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Kohl was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.

(Radio Iowa) – The four UnityPoint hospitals in the Des Moines metro area report a tenfold increase in the number of patients testing positive for the flu in recent weeks, with more than 500 cases confirmed since late December. Flu cases across the region are multiplying rapidly as transmission rates are high, according to Megan Meller, an infection preventionist at Emplify Health by Gundersen. “This year, the virus that’s circulating, H3N2, it’s not a good match for the vaccine, and that’s because during its season it made copy mutations, which is very common for these viruses,” Meller says, “but these mutations allow the virus to evade our immunity just enough to enable it to spread a little bit quicker among people than we would otherwise expect.” She says this season’s flu strain is responding much like in past years, though it is spreading at a faster rate.

“Symptoms are the same. We’re not seeing any indication that illnesses are more severe with this strain than with any other strains, which is very encouraging to see,” Meller say. “We’re not really seeing any increase in complications either, it’s just spreading more rapidly, and we’re seeing many more cases right now than we would typically see in an average flu season.” Meller clarifies that while this vaccine isn’t a “good match” for the flu strain this year, she says it’s still important to get vaccinated, even at this late date.

“The vaccines are still really powerful against this virus and really what that means is you can get vaccinated and you might still get sick with this influenza strain, but the vaccine does a really great job at reducing your risk of either hospitalizations and other severe complications from influenza,” Meller says. “We still highly recommend getting vaccinated because it will offer you that protection.”

UnityPoint says its emergency rooms at Blank Children’s Hospital, Iowa Lutheran, Methodist West and Iowa Methodist report a total of 509 patients testing positive for both influenza A and B since December 21st. Emplify Healthy by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Red Oak, IA) – A teen from Red Oak received a written warning for violating vehicle windshield requirements, after the SUV he was driving struck a legally parked car this (Thursday) morning, causing a police-estimated total of $2,500 damage. No injuries were reported.

According to the Red Oak Police Department, the 16-year-old (whose name was withheld by police) was traveling north in the 1200 block of Eastern Avenue at around 7:45-a.m. The windshield on the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving was covered in frost, authorities said, and he could not see.

The SUV struck a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has opted Iowa into a federal program designed to financially reward some donors to private school scholarships. Starting in 2027, Iowans who donate to a non-profit that provides scholarships to low-income students in private K-12 schools will quality for a tax credit worth up to 17-hundred dollars. “Next year we can further expand educational options,” Reynolds said, “…empowering Iowa to improve student outcomes.” Since 2007, there has been a similar state income tax credit worth 75 percent of donations Iowans make to a private School Tuition Organization.

U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon mentioned the new federal tax credit during her visit to Denison yesterday (Wednesday). “This is a momentous step to break away from top down mandates and expand ‘School Choice,’ and I know how hard Governor Reynolds worked for ‘School Choice’ over two terms, really battling to get it through, but she did it,” McMahan said. “…Thank you for setting a standard of leadership that inspires the entire nation.”

In 2022, Reynolds successfully campaigned for primary candidates who defeated fellow Republicans who’d voted against the governor’s initial plan to offer state-funded private school scholarships for students leaving low-performing public schools. The next year the legislature passed the governor’s current plan that’s now available for all students enrolled in private schools. This year, nearly eight-thousand dollars is available for each private school student whose parent signs up for a state-funded Education Savings Account.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’ll oppose today’s (Thursday) scheduled vote on a resolution that would limit President Trump’s power to order any further military action in Venezuela. The war powers resolution would mean the president would need congressional approval before launching more attacks. Grassley, a Republican, says that’s unwarranted. “The president is acting legally,” Grassley says, “based upon the fact that each time these boats are sunk, that you’ve seen on television, they’re generally carrying about $50 million worth of drugs.”

Over the weekend, the U-S military seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a nighttime raid to face trial in New York, while the U-S has taken control of the South American nation’s government and oil infrastructure. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, called for the war powers vote, and says more resolutions are pending, for nations including Columbia, Cuba and Mexico. “It’s a case of Senator Kaine wanting to express Congress’ disapproval of what the president’s done and that he was acting contrary to the Constitution,” Grassley says. “I don’t think he was acting contrary to the Constitution, so I’m going to vote no.”

Grassley says Maduro will face charges for drug trafficking in what he calls “narcoterrorism” that’s claimed many thousands of American lives. Grassley is also standing behind Trump’s orders for ICE agents to conduct immigration raids in the Twin Cities, during which a woman was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday. “They’re law enforcement people and they’re enforcing the law,” he says, “and I think that it doesn’t need to be reviewed. I think they’re carrying out the law.”

Grassley says he listened to last night’s comments from U-S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said a full federal review of the fatal shooting will be conducted. “We ought to wait until the FBI gets done with this investigation before I make a decision that something wrong was done,” Grassley says. “There is wrong done by law enforcement from time to time, but you can’t stop a whole law enforcement activity in Minneapolis because of this one incident.”

Thousands of people demonstrated in the Twin Cities last night (Wednesday night), hours after the 37-year-old woman was shot in the head in her SUV as she pulled away from a confrontation with ICE agents. Reports say it happened about a mile from where police killed George Floyd in 2020.

AMES, Iowa – Jan. 8, 2026 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s input about the proposed U.S. 30/59 over Union Pacific Railroad dual bridge replacement and associated roundabouts project in Denison. The DOT says hanges include:

• Eastbound U.S. 30/Northbound U.S. 59 bridge replacement
• Westbound U.S. 30/Southbound U.S. 59 bridge replacement
• U.S. 30 & U.S. 59 south bucket roundabout construction
• U.S. 30 & U.S. 59 middle bucket roundabout construction

Construction is preliminary but expected to start fall of 2028 and end fall of 2031. More information is available here: https://iowadot.gov/news/2026-01-08/tell-us-what-you-think-about-proposed-us-3059-over-union-pacific-railroad-dual-bridge-replacement?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Attend Open House to Share Your Feedback

When: Tuesday Jan. 13, 2026, anytime between 5 and 7 pm

Location: Denison City Hall, 111 North Main, Denison, Iowa 51442

Description: You will be provided with information about the project, and you can talk through your ideas with our staff. There will be no formal presentation. The meeting space is accessible for people with disabilities. If you require more support at the meeting, please notify the contact listed below by Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Share Your Feedback by Jan. 26

Learn about the project and share your feedback   You will need to provide your name and email before commenting.

(Red Oak, IA) – A woman from Red Oak suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, during a collision Wednesday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police report, a car driven by 55-year-old Tanya M. Ross, of Red Oak, was traveling south on N. 6th Street at around 3:10-p.m., while an SUV driven by 36-year-old Steven R. Smith, of Red Oak, was traveling east on Maple Street. The vehicles collided at the uncontrolled intersection, with the SUV hitting the car on the rear/passenger side area. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, according to police, but the SUV was able to be driven away from the scene after the investigation.

Authorities say Ross complained of shoulder pain, and was transported by Red Oak EMS to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Police say Smith was cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability (insurance) – accident related.

Damage from the collision amounted to a combined/police estimated $15,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a series of free online courses today (Thursday) that are designed to help families that are facing the disease or dementia. Chapter spokeswoman Lauren Livingston says the virtual classes will run most Thursday mornings through June. “It’ll start with a five-part series called The Empowered Caregiver, which teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of care giving for someone living with the disease through the different stages — early, mid and later stages,” Livingston says. “And then we’ll get into some more topics for people who are interested in brain health and the basics of the disease.” She says the courses aim to help families better understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes and challenges ahead.

“There’ll be a really good program on managing money, a Caregiver’s Guide to Finances, which is a topic that not a lot of people really think about when they think of care giving,” Livingston says, “but that’s a big part of it, having to take over some of the legal and financial responsibilities for someone.” More than seven-million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including over 62-thousand in Iowa. Also, more than 11-million family members and friends are serving as caregivers, including over 80-thousand in Iowa. Care giving, she says, can be exceptionally difficult, and the courses can be a big help.

“As they get to those mid and later stages, it can be a little confusing and stressful on how to communicate effectively with the person with the disease, because that changes over time,” Livingston says, “and also understanding some of those changes in behaviors that tend to happen as they progress in the disease, and understanding that and how to respond in the right way that will keep the stress levels down for everyone.”

The courses begin at 11 A-M via Zoom and will continue most Thursdays through June 18th. They’re free to anyone and registration is only required the first time you log in — at alz.org/iowa.